I come here from The Ranger Station because that forum seems to not be very active. My username is Wolfman because I'm a wolf handler from a wolf sanctuary. My Ranger is a 99 3.0L 5 speed I was originally building to donate to the wolf sanctuary but its a stick and the owner is 68 so would have trouble driving a stick. So I bought an 03 ranger with a automatic transmission so she will be able to drive it herself and not have to get me to drive anytime she wants to use it. The 99 I was building I decided to keep for myself since I prefer a manual trans. I've also had an 88 ranger 2.0L 5 speed that I wish I never sold as I like the 1st gens. So I have a bit of work to do both trucks the 03 is having trans problems so I got it cheap I won't know exactly what its doing until I put a good battery in it and try to drive it. PO said its slipping shouldn't be worn out as it only has 102,000mi.

I'll have questions on the 03's trans because I've only rebuilt one automatic transmission the infamous Christler A604 and it was a pita compared to a manual.

I'm hoping this forum is more active than The Ranger Station I'm used to the Hayabusa and Miata forms where you ask a question it gets multiple replies in a short time.
My other vehicles besides the 99 ranger is: 2000 Mazda Miata SE a 2011 Suzuki Hayabusa and a 2009 Suzuki GZ-250 I also have a 2010 Kawasaki Ninja 250 but I already have a buyer when I finish it.

 

Welcome to the forum

1999 3.0l will have M5OD-R1 5-speed manual trans
Also called M5R1, and these transmissions are ENGINE SPECIFIC, bellhousing is not detachable its part of the main housing
These don't really have problems unless run dry, and you can usually find them used in good condition since they last

The 2003 Ranger 3.0l will have a 5R44E automatic, these are good transmissions and basically the same running gear from 1985 to 2011
1985-1994 they were called A4LD, 2 solenoids
1995 to 2000 they got more solenoids and Ford called then 4R44E
in 2001 they had a change in computer software and external sensors added and changed to the 5R44E

4.0l Rangers used same transmission but with bigger OD Drum so have 55E designation instead or 44E, but all other parts are the same

You can use a 2002-2008 5R44E in your 2003 3.0l Ranger, if looking for used, needs to be from a 3.0l and 2WD if thats what you have, Mazda B3000 used same trans in same years
If you rebuild or have it rebuilt you/they MUST replace pump(ford only), forward one-way clutch and OD drum, along with clutches and bands, and of course new torque converter

Often replacing the valve body and separator plate will restore full function and that can be done without pulling trans out, if it doesn't "fix" the problems then not a waste of money because it can be used as part of the rebuild

 

The trans in the 99 works fine its the 03 that has problems and its the 2.3L engine.

 

2.3l DOHC Duratec engine, it was a good runner, although 2003 still had the heated thermostat and IMRC(intake manifold runner control) not a great idea, both were gone in 2004

Same transmission as the 3.0l in 2003, 5R44E just a different bell housing so same info applies, but 2002-2011 for used trans, the 2.3l Duratec was used until 2011, last year of these Rangers

The new 2019 Ranger uses a turbo version of this 2.3l DOHC called Ecoboost

And just as a heads up, 1983-1997 Rangers used the 2.3l SOHC Lima engines, only displacement is the same, lol
So Google "Ranger 2.3l" and you will get mixed results

2002 was first full year Rangers had the 2.3l Duratec engine